In the software training department at the college where I work retention of trainers has been our largest issue. Since my college system consists of 7 individual colleges the trainers have to travel to other locations for training classes. The daily travel seems to be one of the biggest issues contributing to employee retention. Since the department has never had class minimums in place, the trainer might travel to a location and no one attends training. To help keep trainers from leaving the job we could:
· Enforce a class minimum so the trainer won’t feel their travel time has been wasted. If the class minimum was set at five the chances all five not showing up would be very small.
· Attempt to schedule the employee close to their house to decrease miles traveled.
· Meet with the trainers to get their ideas on how to lessen the stress of their job on the road and enact new policies based on these meetings.
According to Wikipedia, “An Electronic Performance Support System, is any computer software program or component that improves user performance.” Encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com defines it as “A system that provides electronic task guidance and support to the user at the moment of need. EPSS can provide application help, reference information, guided instructions and/or tutorials, subject matter expert advice and hints on how to perform a task more efficiently. An EPSS can combine various technologies to present the desired information. The information can be in the form of text, graphical displays, sound, and video presentations.” Bersin.com defines it as “(EPSS) is an integrated electronic environment that is available to and easily accessible by employees. An EPSS is structured to provide immediate, individualized online access to the full range of information, software, guidance, advice and assistance, data, images, tools, and assessment and monitoring systems to permit job performance with minimal support and intervention by others.” I prefer the last definition because it is very encompassing without being restrictive.
EPSS systems have not been widely used because of the complexity and cost of developing one and the people in charge of a company not being familiar with them. They represent a wide technological and managerial leap which is hard for the executives of a company to agree on. Companies tend to use tried and true measures when it comes to running a business. They should become more and more common as the people who grew up with technology and rely on cutting edge technology become the managers of companies. This is the generation that lives on their smart phones and this need to have instant information and answers will drive the future applications of EPSS systems in business.
The software training department where I work historically only provided face to face training. A written manual was provided only if you attended training. If you lost the manual you could request another one, but it took the employee extra effort. If the employee needed help with only one task that was contained in a different training they would be required to sit through a 3 hour training class to get access to the manual. We have in the past year implemented a blended approach to training utilizing a KM system. Our manuals and also video tutorials have been placed on a website that also contains class information and contact information. This has resulted in more productivity from the employees because they have access to instruction that does not involve taking half a day to receive training. The video tutorials are particularly useful for task oriented instruction since each module addresses one topic.
I would have to say the most prevalent form of informal learning I have been exposed to is from visits to museums and surfing the Internet. When visiting museums I was open to the possibilities of new experiences and newly acquired knowledge. At times I would be with others so it was not only engaging but also social. I would prefer to visit a museum by myself and become immersed in what I found interesting. I would play the role of active participant and the instructors would be the exhibits. I could pick and choose what to read and interact with. The Internet has probably had the most impact of informal learning simply because of the number of hours I spend on it. I enjoy access to instant knowledge, but I have to admit I enjoy visiting museums more engaging. The tactile experience of physically interacting is more satisfying. I have also taken part in study and discussion groups but enjoyed the activity less than the other two. I did not find those venues as valuable because people tend to espouse knowledge they really were not experts on.
Visiting museums is something I didn't think about!
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